Freightliner Corporation

Daimler Trucks North America LLC

James Vincent McHorse

Michael Von Mayenburg

Daniel G Fuchs

Sean Tabari

Thomas A Leslie

Jeffrey R Chapin

James T Atchley

Todd W Gilbert

Gregory S Cooper

A vehicle axle construction comprises a suspension for supporting the axle from first and second frame rail members. Elongated support members extend forwardly from respective locations along the frame rail members that are rearwardly of the axle and are clamped or otherwise coupled to the axle. A single pivot may be utilized to couple the respective rearmost end portions of the supports to the respective frame members. The forward ends of the supports may be coupled to respective air springs. Desirably, at least a portion of each air spring is positioned forwardly of the axle. In addition, at least one lateral stabilizer rigidifies the suspension. An alternative suspension utilizes leaf springs. A double acting rack-and-pinion steering mechanism may be rigidly coupled to the axle for use in steering the wheels of the vehicle.

Vehicle axle apparatus

A suspension deflection system is provided that includes first and second spaced apart supports, an elastomeric body positioned at least partially in the region between the first and second supports, and a suspension engaging projection extending from the second support in a direction away from the first support. The elastomeric body includes first and second opposed body end surfaces coupled respectively to the first and second supports, and first and second body side surfaces extending between the body end surfaces. The body side surfaces are closer to one another at a location intermediate to the body end surfaces than at the first and second supports. The system conveniently and securely couples a suspension member of a vehicle engaged by the projection to a frame of the vehicle.

Suspension deflection system

A suspension system for a vehicle cab which includes springs supporting the rear end of the cab over the frame. A sway resisting device including a torsion, or sway, bar is coupled to the frame and has arms extending outwardly therefrom which connect to the cab. The sway bar is restrained against movement laterally of the truck and through its connection with the cab inhibits lateral movement of the cab relative to the frame. The torsional resistance in the sway bar resists side-to-side roll of the cab relative of the frame.

Vehicle cab suspension system

A sacrificial fairing is an elongated, arcuate trough-shaped panel member having a leg which detachably mounts to a rear edge of an elongated side fairing of a truck between the side fairing and a wheel well. The sacrificial fairing extends only partially around the wheel well. The sacrificial fairing can be easily detached from the side fairing. As a result, the sacrificial fairing can be easily replaced in case of damage from rocks, debris, chains, or the like.

Vehicle with sacrificial fairing

A vehicle having a side-mounted fairing for reducing aerodynamic drag in which a portion of the fairing is easily removable to allow access to vehicle components is disclosed. The removable fairing includes a convolute sheet of substantially rigid material in which planar surfaces are formed for providing steps. Support rails are mounted to an inner surface of the fairing just below the steps to connect the fairing to the vehicle and to support weight placed on the steps. The rails include mortise and tenon connections for connecting the removable fairing portion to a fixed portion of the fairing. In addition, support brackets are fixedly attached to the vehicle and extend outward to provide support for the removable fairing. Fasteners are provided for securing the removable fairing to the vehicle and to the fixed portion of the fairing.

Removable side fairing for a vehicle

An anti-spill fuel fill door overlies a fuel fill line access opening in a panel on a body of a vehicle. The door is pivotable between a closed position covering the access opening and an open position, in which the door is located beneath the access opening. The fuel fill door has a fuel catching reservoir such as a tray that catches fuel spilled during the delivery of fuel when the tray is in the open position. When the door is pivoted to the closed position, the spilled fuel drains from the fuel catching tray behind the panel on the body.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

James Vincent McHorse